Writing-pad for the blind



M. J. McNElLL. WRITING PAD FOR THE BLIND. APPLICATION man JUNE 30. 1920.

1,372,3 0, 2mm Mar; 22, 1921.

writing pads for the blind.

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SEAWI'KE, WASHINGWON.

wmrme-ran FOR THE ."BLFLN'DE,

. panving drawings.

1. is invention relates to improvements in An important object of the invention is to provide such a device wherein means are provided whereby the sightless may properly aline a sheet of paper upon the pad in combination with guiding means extending transversely of the sheet and adjustable longitudinally thereof, whereby the written line may be guided.-

A. further object of the invention. is to provide a device of this character which may be adjusted for use with paper sheets of varying widths and lengths.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of this type which may be readily and cheaply manufactured and which does not easily get out of order.

These and other objects and advantages 1 accomplish by the combination and arrangement of parts shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention and wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan view of my writing tablet.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the operation wit a latch mechanism, and

Fig. 4: is a detail sectional view taken on the line 4 4.of Fig. 1.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the numeral 1 indicates a suitable base provided at the top and bottom thereof at one side of the base with upstanding lugs 2 which receive and position the shaft 3 extending longitudinally of the base 1.

The under side of the shaft 3 is provided with spaced notches 3*, these notches being separated a distance equal to suitable spacing between lines of hand writing. Stop collars 4 are adjustably mounted upon the shaft 3 and may be held in such adjusted position by means of set screws 4 or the Slidably and rotatably mounted upon the Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Ma 22 igfi fl Application filed June 30, 1920. Serial No. 393,053.

shaft 3 is a yoke 5 embodying spaced arms 5* suitably apertured to receive the shaft.

. one end of the spring being secured to one of the shoulders 5 as at 8 and the shoulder G being arranged adjacent the other of the shoulders 5.

A U shaped guiding-and spacing bar 9 is provided having the arms 9 thereof parallel and extending transversely of the base 1, the ends of the arms being mounted in suitable lugs 5 formed in the yoke 5. A plate 10 is provided, suitably apertured to receive the arms of the yolre and is slidably mounted thereupon. This plate as shown in Fig. 4 is of sufiicient size to hold the outer end of the U shaped guiding and spacing member elevated from the base 1 and forms a guide to prevent overrunning of the edge of the paper in writing.

The top of the base 1 is provided approximately centrally thereof with a spring clip 12 by means of which sheets of paper used in writing may be held in position. l3eneath the clip 12 and intermediate the clamping portion 12 thereof and the top of the base 1 a straight edge 11 is secured to the base 1 parallel to the arms of the guiding and spacing member 9. r n the employment of my pad the paper may be inserted by elevating the member 9 and rotating the yoke 5 about the shaft 3. The clip 12 is then elevated and the paper inserted therebeneath with its upper edge against the straight ed e 11 when the cl1p may be released to hol the paper. When the guiding and spacing member 9 has been oscillated so that it is in a vertical position, the yoke 5 is slidable upon the shaft 3 as the notches 3 are only formed in the under surface thereof and consequently when the yoke is rotated throu h an angle of 90 degrees the shoulder 6 of t e spring will not engage in these notches. It will be seen that the yoke with the guiding and spacing member 9 in this position may be slid upwardly upon the shaft 3 until it contacts the uppermost of the stop members 4 when it may be rotated to bring the arms contiguous to the paper.

The stop 10 can then be ad'usted to suit the width of the paper. At t e completion of each line of writing the writer releases the yoke 5 by depressing the spring 6 through the medium of the thumb piece 7 and moves the yoke together with the guiding and spacing arms 9 downwardly until the shoulder 6 engages the next notch. When the yoke 5 contacts the lowermost of the stop members 4 the Writer will realize that he has reached the bottom of the sheet and will insert another for use.

It will be obvious that many changes are possible in the shape, size and arrangement of the various parts herein shown without in any manner de arting from the spirit of my invention, and accordingly do not limit myself to the specific structure hereinbefore set forth, but may make any such'changes, which do not depart from the scope of the suboined claims.

I-laving now described my invention, what I claim is: v

1. In a device of the type described, a base, a member extending transversely of the base and adjustable longitudinally thereof, a stop member carried by said member and adjustable longitudinally thereof, a clip secured to and adapted to engage said base adjacent the top thereof, and a straight edge secured to said base intermediate said clip and the top of said ase and parallel to said transverse member, said stop member holding one end of said transverse member in spaced relation to said base.

2. In a device of the type described, a base, a stationary shaft extending longitudinally of said base at one side thereof, said shaft being provided in one side thereof with spaced notches, a yoke slidably and rotatably mounted u on said shaft, a member secured to sai yoke and extending transversely of the base and normally parallel with said base and a spring latch carried by said yoke and positioned to engage said notches when the transverse member is arallel to said base, said latch being free rom engagement with said notches when said member is elevated. 1

3. In a device of the type described, a base, a shaft extending longitudinally of said base and provided at one side thereof with spaced notches, said shaft being held against rotation a member slidably and r0- tatably mounted upon said shaft, a uide member secured to said member an extending transversely-of the base and normally parallel thereto, a notch engaging member carried by said yoke and engaging the notches of said shaft when the guide member is parallel to said base, said notch engaging member being free from engagement with said notches when said member is elevated.

4. In a device of the type described, a base, a shaft extending longitudinally of said base and provided at one side thereof with spaced notches, said shaft being circular in cross section and held against rotation, a member slidably and rotatably mounted upon said shaft, a guide member secured to said member and extending transversely of the base and normally parallel thereto, a notch engaging member carried by said yoke and enga ing the notches of said shaft when the gui e member is parallel to said base, said notch engaging member being free from engagement with said notches when said member is elevated, and a stop adjustably secured to said shaft at opposite ends of the first named member whereby the movement of said member may be variably limited.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature.

MALCOLM J. MONEILL. 

